Former NATO Chief Warns Members May be Willing to Deploy Troops in Ukraine

NATO countries may be willing to deploy troops to Ukraine if adequate security guarantees are not provided at an upcoming summit in Vilnius, former NATO commander and prominent advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Anders Rasmussen, has warned.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary-General, clarified that while security guarantees would be taken into account, only member states of the alliance are entitled to full guarantees. This distinction highlights the importance of Ukraine’s potential NATO membership in securing comprehensive security assurances.

The progress of Ukraine’s NATO aspirations is currently under review, according to Julianne Smith, the United States Ambassador to NATO. This assessment reflects the significance attached to Ukraine’s integration efforts within the alliance and the potential implications it may have on regional stability.

Rasmussen, emphasizing the need for explicit security guarantees for Ukraine outside of NATO, has stressed the importance of various measures. These include intelligence sharing, joint training, domestic ammunition manufacturing, NATO interoperability, and the provision of armaments to serve as a deterrent against Russia. The inclusion of these provisions would bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities and further solidify its position in the face of potential threats.

Notably, Rasmussen also indicated that certain states may opt to deploy their own forces if the stakes become sufficiently high. This possibility underscores the growing concern among some nations regarding the security situation in Ukraine and their commitment to ensuring its stability.

In the midst of these deliberations, Germany has been careful to avoid provoking Russia. The German government’s cautious approach likely stems from its desire to maintain a delicate balance between supporting Ukraine and avoiding escalating tensions with Russia, a key player in the region.